The move came weeks before Joki was scheduled to face a recall election. But Joki told KIVI TV and the Idaho Statesman that he decided to step down for personal reasons.

Asked to elaborate Wednesday morning, Joki emailed two brief statements to Idaho Education News: “My family needs me. … There are no other reasons nor more important reasons.”

Joki was elected in May, taking office in July. His nine months on the board of the state’s largest school district was tumultuous — as trustees publicly sparred with former trustee Linda Clark, and at times with each other.

Two other trustees, Tina Dean and Carol Sayles, still face a recall election on May 17.